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Severe mental disorders during the perinatal period have a significant impact on mother-infant interaction, affecting both the initial bond and the infant’s development. Scientific literature has shown that infants can perceive and synchronize with maternal behavior, creating a bidirectional interaction system. However, in mothers with severe mental disorders, this process may be disrupted, leading to difficulties in emotional regulation and in the mother’s ability to respond to the infant’s needs.

A systematic review of 15 studies involving 992 women diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or other psychotic disorders was conducted to analyze how these conditions affect mother-infant interaction.

The results show that mothers with severe mental disorders, especially those with psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, exhibit lower-quality mother-infant interactions. Mothers with bipolar disorder display significant difficulties, though less severe than those observed in psychotic disorders, while mothers with major depressive disorder tend to have better interactions than those with bipolar disorder. These findings may be related to deficits in social cognition, a key ability for interpreting and appropriately responding to infant cues.

Interventions aimed at improving this interaction were also reviewed, highlighting strategies focused on emotional regulation and maternal sensitivity, which have shown promising results.

In conclusion, mother-infant interaction is impaired in women with severe mental disorders, particularly psychotic disorders. A deeper understanding is needed to develop targeted interventions that enhance both maternal and infant well-being.